United Airlines poached American Airlines No. 2 to be its president

U.S. Airways President Scott Kirby speaks at the
Reuters Aerospace and Defense Summit in
WashingtonThomson
Reuters

United Continental Holdings Inc has hired the No. 2 executive at
rival American Airlines Group Inc , Scott Kirby, to be its
president, the companies said on Monday.

The move, effective immediately, is the latest attempt by
United's reshuffled board and new Chief Executive Officer Oscar
Munoz to shape a new strategy and boost the airline's stock
price. United has lagged other U.S. carriers in on-time arrivals
and profit margins, though its results have recently improved.

American's Chief Operating Officer Robert Isom will replace Kirby
as that company's president, American said in a news release.

Earlier this month, United appointed a new chief financial
officer and new chief commercial officer, each with airline
industry expertise. The company came under pressure from activist
investors in the spring to name airline veterans to its board of
directors who could guide Munoz, a former railroad executive who
took the helm of United in September 2015.